Do-it-yourself (Advent) Devotional
The season of Advent is four weeks. Short and sweet...but also very deep and profound. This year I decided to make my own Advent Devotional to help me reflect in the moment but also save for future Decembers.
The basic supplies: thick paper, pens, inspiration.
When I begin an art project I like to include built in beauty and inspiration. I also like to introduce some boundaries before beginning. Sometimes too many choices of pens, paper, scripture, etc. paralyze me.
My supplies:
Our guidelines: On the dyed side of the paper write words, draw symbols or any other simple expression of what comes to mind. Use the back to write more "explanation" of the front words and images, if needed. Mary Lee did her project and I did mind. For the four weeks we never compared notes or what inspired our work. It was fun and satisfying knowing that she was working "along side me".
(We agreed we want to show each other but have not found the right time yet.)
The results:
The words and symbols came easy to me. I let myself take notes in church of what captured my attention and imagination.
Here are my pages:
The basic supplies: thick paper, pens, inspiration.
When I begin an art project I like to include built in beauty and inspiration. I also like to introduce some boundaries before beginning. Sometimes too many choices of pens, paper, scripture, etc. paralyze me.
My supplies:
- thick paper I dyed ahead of time with hues of blues and grays - the colors of Advent and darkness
- a half dozen markers of only black, grey and blue with a variety of tips
- My inspiration came from Sunday morning church: scripture, sermons, music and prayers.
Our guidelines: On the dyed side of the paper write words, draw symbols or any other simple expression of what comes to mind. Use the back to write more "explanation" of the front words and images, if needed. Mary Lee did her project and I did mind. For the four weeks we never compared notes or what inspired our work. It was fun and satisfying knowing that she was working "along side me".
(We agreed we want to show each other but have not found the right time yet.)
The results:
The words and symbols came easy to me. I let myself take notes in church of what captured my attention and imagination.
Here are my pages:
My Art Sabbath Retreat
The past few years I have begun taking retreats for both Sabbath time away and also to create a more spacious time to be creative.
I have attended workshops as a formal learner. Some of the places I visited can be found by clicking the button above. I also have loaded up the back of my Subaru with art supplies, rented a cabin, and experimentally played under my own direction. Both have been fruitful to find solitude and participate in live-giving creative practices.
I have attended workshops as a formal learner. Some of the places I visited can be found by clicking the button above. I also have loaded up the back of my Subaru with art supplies, rented a cabin, and experimentally played under my own direction. Both have been fruitful to find solitude and participate in live-giving creative practices.
Here is my project from the last time I went away on my own and was left to my own devices!
I used my word of the year, Linger, and the Magnificat, Mary's response to God after hearing she would give birth to Jesus, to be my inspiration for this project. I read and re-read the passage in the Gospel of Luke over the three days. I let it spark wonder in me. I read it immediately before going for walks to let the ideas and images rumble around in my head as I was moving.
I listened to what the message was for me at this moment in my life.
I covered the cabin's kitchen table with art supplies for the entire three days. Letting my work space be a priority. As in so many creative endeavors, the process is the transformative part. The end product is (sometimes) a happy result. I have since gone back to my little book in moments of quiet at home. It has become a special devotional that - quite literally - was made for me!
I listened to what the message was for me at this moment in my life.
I covered the cabin's kitchen table with art supplies for the entire three days. Letting my work space be a priority. As in so many creative endeavors, the process is the transformative part. The end product is (sometimes) a happy result. I have since gone back to my little book in moments of quiet at home. It has become a special devotional that - quite literally - was made for me!